Many house cats ignore expensive toys, soft beds, and stylish cat houses — yet they joyfully play with ordinary bags and choose to sleep in a simple cardboard box. For many owners, this behaviour is puzzling. Why does it happen, and is it always safe? You’ll find the answers in this article.
Why Cats Love Boxes
A house cat’s irresistible attraction to boxes may seem like a funny quirk to owners. They can simply place a box anywhere and watch their beloved pets enjoy playing with it just as much as the most dedicated poker players love starting a deal at a live casino. But in fact, this habit is rooted in several instinctive behaviours. Here’s a closer look at them.
Curiosity
Cats are territorial animals. They view the space they live in — whether it’s an apartment or a house with a yard — as their personal domain. As a result, they constantly monitor and explore it.
Most owners have noticed that when something in a box is brought into the home, the cat is the first to inspect the “new item.” The box is sniffed thoroughly, and the cat marks it with its scent by rubbing its face and body against it. Once the box is empty, the pet often jumps inside and may even choose to stay there.
This is not simple curiosity; the cat is assessing whether the new object in its territory is safe.
A Sense of Safety
Though cats have lived alongside humans for more than 10,000 years, they are still predators, and in the wild, they had larger enemies to fear. The best defence was always a safe hiding place: a burrow, a small cave, the hollow of a tree, or a crack between rocks.
Even though nothing threatens a house cat in an apartment, its survival instinct remains strong. Boxes and crates provide enclosed spaces where cats feel secure. To help a cat feel comfortable and avoid stress, owners should create at least one — ideally several — cozy hideaways or cat houses where the pet can relax undisturbed.
Hunting Instinct
Another key part of feline behaviour is the hunting instinct. Modern homes may lack mice and birds, but cats still sharpen their skills on toys — imitation mice, balls, feather wands, and more. While humans view these activities as play, cats see no difference between hunting toys and real prey.
Because successful hunting requires stealth, attacking from ambush is ideal, and boxes are perfect for this.
Heat Retention
The average indoor temperature is actually lower than what keeps cats fully comfortable. They expend some of their dietary energy just to stay warm. Cardboard is a good insulator, and when a cat curls up inside a box, it feels warm and cozy.
Why Cats Love Bags
Another well-known feline “passion” is bags, regardless of their material (plastic, cellophane, or paper). As soon as an owner returns home from the store and removes the groceries, the cat immediately jumps into the empty bag or begins playing with it.
Why are cats so drawn to bags? There are several reasons:
Appealing Rustling Sounds
Cats have excellent vision but see small objects more clearly at long distances than up close. During hunting, they rely heavily on sound — the rustle or movement of prey. Bags make similar noises when touched, which stimulates a cat’s hunting excitement.
A Feeling of Security
A bag cannot physically protect a cat, but it offers a sense of enclosed space. Cats perceive bags much like boxes — as miniature hideouts.
Pleasant Smells
Bags may carry the scents of foods previously stored in them — fish, meat, sausage, and other tempting aromas. Some bags also contain ingredients like gelatine, which can be appealing to cats.
Warmth
Like boxes, bags retain heat, making them comfortable for cats to rest in.
Static Electricity
Plastic bags can generate static electricity when rubbing against a cat’s fur. This clinging sensation may be enjoyable for some cats.
If your pet simply likes climbing into bags, there’s no need to forbid it, but you must ensure the activity is safe.
Can These Habits Be Dangerous?
Cardboard boxes are generally safe for cats, except those fastened with metal staples, which can cause injuries. It’s also important to remove all packing materials (foam, film, fillers) that the cat might chew and swallow.
Bags, however, are riskier. Cats rarely limit themselves to sitting inside them. They often chew and scratch them, which is unsafe. While playing, a cat may accidentally inhale small fragments of plastic, swallow part of the bag, or even eat it entirely. Cats can also get their heads or bodies stuck in the handle openings, which poses a choking hazard.
For this reason, play sessions with bags should be supervised. Ideally, provide your cat with enough safe toys to satisfy its hunting instincts without risk.
What to Do if Your Cat Swallows a Bag
A swallowed bag is a serious threat to a cat’s health. Plastic cannot be digested and can cause intestinal blockage. If you suspect your cat has eaten a bag or part of one — or if you saw it happen — take the animal to a veterinary clinic immediately.
In emergency cases, if the cat has partially swallowed a bag and cannot breathe, you may try to remove it by gently pulling it out. However, never attempt to pull out plastic if part of it has exited the intestines during defecation — doing so can cause internal damage. In such situations, emergency veterinary care is essential.